Scambook warns of Instagram student-loan scam

Here's another scam to watch out for. This one involves student loans.

Consumer advocate Scambook is telling Instagram users to stay away from fraudulent Sallie Mae
Instagram accounts that allegedly offer loan forgiveness because of the partial shutdown by the
federal government. These illegitimate accounts are asking for personal information and put those
with student loans at increased risk of identity theft or other online fraud.

Sallie Mae is a pubicly-traded company that hasn't been affected by the shutdown. It doesn't
have an Instagram account either and it would never ask for personal information through social
media.

Scambook cautions consumers to never release personal information over social media. That
includes bank-account numbers, Social Security numbers or a home address. If there is doubt about
whether an offer is real, Scambook says consumers should confirm it through the company's website
or by calling the company's customer-service number.